Rigidized reed bar



May 18, 1965 H. E. w. BODE RIGIDIZED REED BAR 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 FiledJuly 5, 1962 May 18, 1965 H. E. w. BODE RIGIDIZED REED BAR 4Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 5, 1962 ,W INVENTOR j amlaffi. 4139a? film, WMam; wa

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May 18, 1965 H. E. w. BODE RIGIDIZED REED BAR 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 FiledJuly 5, 1962 QZYMJ W MM E E E- WWW United States Patent 3,183,759RllGlDlZED REED BAR i-llarald E. W. Bode, North Tonawanda, N.Y.,assignor to The Wurlitzer Qompany, Chicago, 1512., a corporation of OhioFiled Lluly 5,1962, Ser. No. 2d7,57l 14 (Ilaims. (Cl. tit- W2) Thisinvention relates generally to electronic musical instruments, moreparticularly to electronic musical in struments employing vibratilereeds as tone generators, and especially to support structures forvibratile reeds.

The structures heretofore used in electronic musical instruments forsupporting vibratile reeds have generally comprised a single, relativelymassive plate, flat in form and having a gradually diminishing totaltransverse section proceeding from the bass register end to the trebleregister end. A particularly vexing problem has arisen in the use ofthese reed support structures, namely the deadening of one or more reedsdue to the relationship of their tuned frequency to the resonantfrequency of the support structure. in the past, this dead reed probemhas been solved by increasing the mass of the support structure usingsupplemental weights added to the basic structure in empiricallyestablished locations. However, the additional mass thus incorporatedhas materially interfered with the desired portability of the instrumentbecause rather substantial supplementary weights have ordinarily beenrequired.

Therefore, a general object of the present invention is to provide a newand improved support structure for vibratilc reeds.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a support structurewhose mechanical response to vibration of the reeds does not interferewith the proper operation thereof.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a lightweightsupport structure which does not inhibit vibration of the reeds mountedthereon.

And still another object of the invention is to provide a highlyrigidized reed bar assembly.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a reed bar assemblywhich is arranged to preclude development of a reasonant air column.

A further obiect of the invention is to provide a reed bar assemblyincorporating a longitudinal reaction memher.

A yet further object of the invention is to provide an electronicmusical instrument having a reed bar arrangement which is segmented,each segment thereof including a reaction member that is tailored to thefrequencies of the reeds mounted thereon.

And. a further object of the invention is to provide an electronicmusical instrument in which the reed bar arrangement is mounted in theinstrument case so as to improve the mechanical response of the reed bararrangement to vibration of reeds mounted thereon.

These and other obiects and features of the invention will become moreapparent upon a reading of the following descriptions.

A support structure in accord with the invention includes a bar having aplurality of reed-mounting formations spaced along the length thereofand a relatively wide flange coupled to the bar adjacent the formationsand extending along a substantial portion of the length or"- the bar toprovide a member for mechanically reacting to the vibrations of thereeds.

The invention will be better understood by reference to the followingdisclosure and drawings forming a part thereof, wherein:

P16. 1 is a side view, partially in cross-section of a 'ice supportstructure for vibratile reeds shown in relation to the action mechanismWhich is used in percussively actuating one of the reeds;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary front elevaticnal view taken through theelectronic musical instrument and showing the mounting of the reedsupport structure to the instrument case;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged bottom perspective view of the treble registerreed bar assembly incorporated in the arrangement of HG. 2;

PEG. 4 is an enlarged bottom perspective View of the bass register reedbar assembly used in the arrangement of FIG. 2;

PEG. 5 is a top plan view of the treble register reed bar assembly ofFIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of the reed bar assembly of MG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged end elevational view of the reed bar assembly ofFIG. 5;

PEG. 8 is a view similar to the showing of FIG. 7 but taken incross-section to reveal details of construction;

PEG. 9 is an enlarged top plan view of the reed bar assembly of FIG. 4;

PEG. 10 is a front elevational View of the reed bar assembly of FIG. 9;

FIG. ii is an enlarged end elevational view of the reed bar assembly ofFIG. 9; and

PEG. 12 is a view similar to the showing of FIG. 11 but shown in crosssection to reveal details of construction.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, specifically to FIG. 1, anelectronic musical instrument indicated generally by the numeral it?will be seen to include an instrument case 22 in which there is mountedan action mechanism 24. The action mechanism is arranged to be operatedby a key lever 26 for percussively actuating a vibratile reed 28 whichis mounted on a support structure 3s.

A keybed 32 is rigidly mounted in the instrument case 22 supportingly toreceive a front rail 34 and a balance rail 36. The key lever 26 isfulcrumed 011 the balance rail 36 using one or more balance rail pins38. A resilient stop dil is aiiixed to the keybed 32 for limiting thedownward movement of the inner end of key lever 26; and the outer orfront end of the key lever is guided by means of front rail pins 42which ride in appropriately shaped slots fashioned in the forward end ofthe key lever.

A inainrail 44 is also mounted within the instrument case 22 by suitablemeans such as action brackets, not shown; and each of the individualaction mechanisms 24 is fixed to the mainrail id for support.Furthermore, a hammer rail 4-5 is mounted within the instrument case 22for supportingly receiving the hammer of action mechanism 24 in the restposition thereof. Similarly, a damper lever rail 48 is mounted withinthe instrument case 22 generally parrallel with the mainrail 44 and withthe hammer rail 46, although it is recognized that the damper lever railas may be combined with the mainrail 44 if desired.

The action mechanism 24- includes a whip 5b which is pivotally mountedto the mainrail 44 by means of a Whip flange 52. In addition, a hammershank 54 is pivotally mounted to mainrail 44. by a hammer flange 56,shank 54. carrying a head 58 which is provided with a felt tip 69. A flyor jack 62 is pivotally mounted to the whip 5% on an integral flange 64,and the fly 52 includes a let-off arm 66 and a nose 68 disposed in rightangular relationship. A compression spring it? acts between the whip 5dand the let-off arm 66 to bias the fly 62 generally toward the mainrail454 whereas the nose 63 of the fly is arranged to cooperate with afelt-lined pocket '72 fashioned in the butt portion of hammer shank 54.A regulating screw 74 is adjustably threadedly engaged with the hammerrail 4r: to confront the upper surface of let-off arm 66, and a capstanscrew it; is secured to the rear end of key lever 26 underlying the whip511 in the vicinity of spring 7i). Advantageously, felt pads 73, 86 and82 are disposed resiliently to engage the hammer shank 54, theregulating screw 74 and the capstan screw '76 respectively.

A damper release wire 84 is pivotally attached to whip 50 on the endthereof which is opposite from the felt 82; and the damper release wire84 is connected to a damper lever 86 that is pivotally mounted to rail 8by means of a damper lever flange 88. The damper release wire 84 isspecifically connected to the damper lever 86 by passing through a bore90 formed therein, whereby to receive a felt washer 92 and a nut 94 onits threaded, free end. The other end of damper lever 86 carries a feltpad 96 which normally bears against the reed 28 to preclude vibrationthereof. A leaf spring 98 acts between flange 88 and damper lever 86 tobias the felt pad 96 into engage ment with the reed 28.

In use, manual depression of the front end of key lever 26 results in anupward movement of capstan screw 76 against the underside of whip 5t),specifically against the felt pad 82. The Whip 5d pivots in response tothis movement driving the fly 62 into the felt lined pocket 72 of thehammer shank S4. Simultaneously, the pivotal movement of Whip 50 causesthe damper lever 86 to pivot, raising the felt pad 96 out of engagementwith reed 28. Then, as the action of fly 62 on hammer shank 54 actuatesthe hammer head 53 into striking engagement with the reed 28, the reedwill have been released from the stopping action of the felt pad 96.Thus, percussive engagement of the hammer head 58 against the reed 23causes a vibration of the reed which can be converted to a desiredmusical tone.

In producing the desired musical tone, the vibration of the percussivelyactuated reeds is converted into electric oscillations which areconverted electronically into sound. Specifically, a pickup member 100is associated with the free ends of the cantilevered reeds to form withthe reeds capacitors which vary in capacity in accordance with thevibrations of the reeds whereby to convert the mechanical oscillationsof the reeds to electronic oscillations. The pickup member 1% comprisesa conductive sheet which is provided with a series of notches 102 whichopen from one edge to define channels in which the free ends of thereeds may vibrate.

The pickup member 1% is affixed to the support structure by cap screws10 i, insulating bushings 1% and an insulating pad 108 whereby toinsulate the pickup member electrically from the support structure.

Each of the reeds 28 is mounted with its upper surface coplanar with thebottom surface of the pickup member; and advantageously, each of thereeds 23 is electrically connected to the support structure 39 to avoidspurious variations in electrical capacity. Therefore, the reeds 28 arefastened directly to the support structure 3%} by means of cap screws11d and lock washers 112.

The reeds 28 and the pickup member 1% are usefully fabricated fromsteel, and the bass reeds and some of the middle register reeds may beprovided with small weights 114 attached to their free ends for loweringthe frequency of vibration without making the reeds unduly large. Theseweights are conveniently fashioned from the lead for ease in changingtheir mass for proper tuning of the corresponding reed.

In compliance with one important feature of the invention, the supportstructure 3-13 is sectioned or divided at approximately mid-range into atreble register reed bar 118 and a bass register reed bar 120 as is Wellshown in FIG. 2. In accordance with the specific embodiment which isillustrated, the support structure 31 is sectioned so that the trebleregister reed bar 118 accommodates thirty-two reeds and bass registerreed bar also accommodates thirty-two reeds. Moreover, the supportstructure 31) is sectioned or divided in order that each of theresulting reed bars may be fashioned to include a reaction member thatis tailored to the frequencies of the reeds which are mounted thereon aswill be described more fully hereinafter.

Segmenting the support structure 30 also permits mounting of theresultant reed bars in the instrument case 22 so as to improve themechanical response of the reed bars to the vibration of the reeds whichare mounted thereon. With continued reference to FIG. 2, a pair ofwooden blocks, blocks 122 and 124, are screwed and glued to the insidesurfaces of the lateral walls of the instrument case 22; and at thecenter of the instrument case, a steel bracket 126 having T-shapedcross-section is mounted approximately parallel with the wooden blocks122 and 12 A mechanically isolating coupling 127 is used in mounting thelow note end of the treble register reed bar 118 to the steel bracket126 whereas a rigid coupling 128 is used in mounting the high note endof reed bar 113 to the Wooden block 122; and in compliance with afurther feature of the invention, a rigid coupling 130 is used inmounting the relatively low note end of the bass register reed bar 120to wooden block 124 whereas a mechanically isolating coupling 132 isemployed in mounting the relatively high note end of the bass registerreed bar to the bracket 126. This rigid coupling of the relatively lownote end of the bass register reed bar and the relatively high note endof the treble register reed bar to the mass of instrument case 22 hasbeen found to achieve a desired prolongation of the ringing time for thereeds.

The coupling 128 comprises a bolt 134 and an elastomeric pad 136, bolt134 passing through a counterbored passageway 138 fashioned in the reedbar 118 and pad 136 being dis osed between the reed bar and theunderlying support element. A steel channel member 141 may be situatedbetween the elastomeric member 136 and the Wooden block 122. Similarly,the isolating coupling 132 includes a bolt 142 which passes through acounterbored passageway 144 formed in the relatively high note end ofbass register reed bar 120, the coupling 132 additionally including anelastomeric pad 146 which is disposed between the reed bar 120 and thebracket 126. On the other hand, each of the rigid couplings 130 and 127includes a bolt 148 which passes through a counterbored passageway 150fashioned in the reed bar, the rigid couplings 131i and 127 additionallyincorporating a tubular boss 152 raised from the bottom surface of thereed bar as is particularly well shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. As will benoted from the showing of FIG. 3 as Well as FIG. 4, the four corners ofeach of the reed bars 118 and 120 are adapted to be mounted on theinstrument case 22.

In compliance with another important feature of the invention, thetreble register reed bar 118 and the bass register reed bar 1211individually comprise a substantially flat plate or bar, plates 154 and156 respectively, and a relatively wide, longitudinally extendingflange, flanges 158 and 169 respectively, each of the flanges acting toprovide a member for mechanically reacting to the vibrations of thereeds which are mounted on the corresponding plates.

Turning now to FIGS. 3 and 5-8 for a more detailed description of thetreble register reed bar 118, the plate 154 will be seen comprised of afirst relatively long tapering member 162, a second relatively longtapering member 16 1 and relatively short side members 166 and 163 whichinterconnect the relatively long members in spacedapart, substantiallycoplanar relationship. Thus, the plate 154 defines a longitudinallyextending open space 171) which is adapted to accommodate thevibrational operation of the free ends of the reeds mounted thereon andto provide clearance for the hammers. This construction is well shown inFIG. 5.

The member 164 is provided with spaced, tapped bores 172 by which apickup member M can be mounted thereto, and the member 162 is fashionedwith reedmounting formations 174 spaced along the length thereof forreceiving the reeds 28 in fixed relationship. Each of the reed-mountingformations 174 specifically includes a tapped bore 176 for receiving thecap screw llll by which the reed is mounted.

Particular value has been found in fashioning the flange 153 to taketrapezoidal shape and in coupling the major base of thetrapezoidalflange 3158 to the bar 3154 intermediate the side members 166and 168 as is well shown in FIG. 6. So disposed, flange 158 extends froma position adjacent the first of formations 174 to a position adjacentthe last of the series of these formations. Moreover, the flange 158 iscoupled to the plate 154' at the member 152 generally adjacent the axisdefined by the reed-mounting formations 174; and in order to provideproper mass to the reed bar 118, a solid backup element 178 is situatedin the angle formed between flange 153 and the plate 154.

In further accord with the invention, triangular webs 180 areindividually coupled to the flange 153 and to the members 162 and 164 inright angular relationship there with. The hypotenuses of the triangularwebs 180 are generally disposed along lines drawn between the member 164and that edge of the flange 158 which is away from the member 162.Furthermore, the webs 18% are asymmetrically disposed along thelongitudinal dimension of the reed bar 118 in order to eliminatesubstantially the eifect of standing waves and their deleterious effecton the operation of the vibratile reeds.

The bass register reed bar 126 will now be described in greater detailwith reference to FIGS. 4 and 9-12. In certain respects, reed bar 129 issimilar to reed bar 118. For example, the plate 156 of reed bar 126includes a pair of relatively long members, members 182 and 184respectively; and these relatively long members are interconnected inspaced-apart, substantially coplanar relationship by relatively shortside members 186 and 188 respectively. Thus, the plate 156 also definesa longitudinally extending open space 190 which is adapted toaccommodate the vibrational operation of the free ends of the reeds 28which are mounted thereon and to provide clearance for the hammers. Themember 182 is provided with spaced, tapped bores 192 by which a pickupmember liltl is aflixed thereto; and similarly, the member 184 isprovided with reed-mounting formations 1% which are spaced along thelength thereof and which are employed in securing the reeds 28 thereto.Specifically, the reed-mounting formations 194 include tapped bores 196which are adapted to receive the cap screws 11d by which the reeds aremounted in place.

Furthermore, the flange 166 is fashionedin trapezoidal shape with themajor base thereof coupled to the plate 156 at the member 184,specificall adjacent the reedmounting formations W4 and extending from aposition adjacent the first of the formations 194 to a position adjacentthe last in the series of these formations. As will be observed, theflange 16% is situated generally intermediate the side members 186 andEds.

The bass register reed bar 120 does not incorporate a backup element ofthe type employed in reed bar 11.8. Rather, reed bar 12% is fashionedwith a complemental flange 198 which is similar in size and shape toflange 1662. In addition, the axis which is defined by the reedmountingformations 19-4- is disposed generally intermediate the flanges 160 and198 as is shown in FIG. 11. These variations have been provide din orderto tailor the reaction members in reed bars 118 and 1255 to thefrequencies of the reeds mounted thereon.

Transverse webs are also provided in the bass register reed bar 129.These Webs are indicated by the numeral 2d!) and are asymmetricallydisposed along the longitudinal dimension of the reed bar. Unlike thewebs 180, however, the webs 20% are rectangular in shape and extendbetween members 182 and 184 generally between the top and bottomsurfaces thereof. The webs 18d and Edd tend to prevent the developmentof undesirable, standing waves in the frame structure and resonant aircolumns in the open spaces provided in plates 154 and 156. Similarly,the tapered shape of the flanges res and 198 tends to prevent thedevelopment of a resonant air column therebetween.

In accordance with another important feature of the invention, thevarious components of the reed bars lift and 126 are integrally joinedtogether to form unitary structures; and since the bending or flexuralmodulus of a structure is a function of the material from which it isfabricated, as well as its shape, the reed bars 118 and 126 have beenfound to be usefully fashioned from metal, pa .icularly aluminum alloys.The aluminum alloy which is designated S.A.E. 0-355 alloy has beenusefully employed in this regard. However, the geometry of the reed barsis of prime importance in achieving the desired results.

The support structure for vibratile reeds which has been describedhereinabove is characterized by comparative lightness in weight andabsence of any substantial inhibiting effect on the vibrationaloperation of the reeds which are mounted thereon. The describedstructure is of a still or rigid nature in order to provide properreaction to the vibrating reeds and is, moreover, arranged to precludethe development of resonant air columns in the structure itself and topreclude the development of undesired shock excitation transients whichmight otherwise be generated by transient motion of the reed mountingmembers relative to the electrode mounting members at the instant ofreed excitation. Accordingly, the specific examples herein shown anddescribed are to be considered as being primarily illustrative. Variouschanges may occur to those skilled in the art; and these changes are tobe understood, therefore, as forming a part of this invention insofar asthey fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

The invention is claimed. as follows:

1. A support structure for vibratile reeds comprising: a bar having aplurality of reed-mounting formations spaced along the length thereofand disposed to situate said reeds in coplanar relationship; and arelatively wide flange coupled to said bar with its longest axissubstantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said bar and with itssecond longest axis substantially perpendicular to the plane of saidreeds, said flange being coupled to said bar to radiate therefrom freeof contact with other structure, said flange being situated adjacentsaid formations and extending along a substantial portion of the lengthof said bar to provide a member for mechanically reacting to thevibrations of said reeds.

2. A support structure according to claim 1 wherein said flange istrapezoidal in shape and wherein the major base of the trapezoidalflange is coupled to said bar.

3. A support structure according to claim 1 wherein said formationsinclude centers of attachment for said reeds, said centers being alignedto define an axis; wherein said flange is disposed on one side of saidaxis; and wherein said support structure further comprises acomplemental flange coupled to said bar on the other side of said axisto provide a second member for mechanically reacting to the vibrationsof said reeds.

4. A support structure according to claim 1 and further comprising arelatively massive backup element disposed in the angle formed betweensaid flange and said bar.

5. A support structure according to claim 1 and further comprisingtransverse elements coupled to said bar and to said flange in rightangular relationship therewith.

6. A reed bar assembly comprising: a first relatively long member havinga plurality of reed-mounting formations spaced along the length thereofand disposed to situate said reeds in coplanar relationship; vibratilereeds mounted on said formations to extend from said member incantilevered relationship; a relatively wide flange coupled to saidmember with its longest axis substantially parallel to the longitudinalaxis of said member and with its second longest axis substantiallyperpendicular to the plane of said reeds, said flange being coupled tosaid member to radiate therefrom free of contact with other structure,said flange being situated adjacent said formations and extending from aposition adjacent the first of said formations to a position adjacentthe last of said formations to provide a member for mechanically reacting to the vibrations of said reeds; a second relatively long memberhaving pickup mounting means thereon; side members interconnecting saidfirst and second members in spaced-apart, substantially coplanarrelationship to define open space for the vibrational operation of thefree ends of said reeds; and pickup means mounted on said second memberin cooperative relationship with the free ends of said reeds.

7. A reed bar assembly according to claim 6 wherein said flange istrapezoidal in shape; wherein the major base of the trapezoidal flangeis coupled to said first relatively long member; and wherein said flangeis situated intermediate said side members.

8. A reed bar assembly according to claim 6 and further comprising websindividually coupled to said flange and to said first and second membersat right angles thereto.

9. A reed bar assembly according to claim 8 wherein said Webs areasymmetrically disposed along the length of said first and secondmembers.

10. A reed bar assembly according to claim 8 wherein said webs aretriangular and wherein the hypotenuses of the triangular webs aredisposed along lines drawn generally between said second member and theedge of said flange away from said first member.

11. A reed bar assembly according to claim 6 and further comprising arelatively massive backup element disposed in the angle formed betweensaid flange and said first relatively long member.

12. In an electronic musical instrument, the combination comprising: astructural framework; a treble register reed bar assembly including anelongated member, vibratile reeds mounted on said member in coplanarrelationship and a relatively wide flange coupled to said member withits longest axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of saidmember and with its second longest axis substantially perpendicular tothe plane of said reeds, said flange being coupled to said member toradiate therefrom free of contact with other structure, said flangebeing situated adjacent the mounted ends of said reeds and extendingalong a substantial portion of the length of said member, said flangeproviding mechanical reaction to the vibration of said reeds; meansmounting said reed bar assembly on said framework; a bass register reedbar assembly including an elongated mem ber, vibratile reeds mounted onsaid last mentioned member in coplanar relationship and a pair ofrelatively wide, parallel disposed flanges coupled to said lastmentioned member with their respective longest axes substantiallyparallel to the longitudinal axis of said last mentioned member and withtheir respective second longest axes substantially perpendicular to theplane of said last mentioned reeds, said parallel disposed flanges beingcoupled to said last mentioned member to radiate therefrom free ofcontact with other structure, said parallel disposed flanges beingsituated adjacent the mounted ends of said last mentioned reeds toextend along a substantial portion of the length of said last mentionedmember, said pair of flanges providing mechanical reaction to thevibration of said last mentioned reeds; and means mounting said bassregister reed bar assembly on said framework.

13. In an electronic musical instrument, the combination comprising: astructural framework; a treble register reed bar assembly including anelongated member, vibratile reeds mounted on said member in coplanarrelationship and a relatively wide flange coupled to said member withits longest axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of saidmember and with its second longest axis substantially perpendicular tothe plane of said reeds, said flange being coupled to said member toradiate therefrom free of contact with other structure, said flangebeing situated adjacent the mounted ends of said reeds and extendingalong a substantial portion of the length of said member for providingmechanical reaction to the vibration of said reels; a brass registerreed bar assembly including an elongated member, vibratile reeds mountedon said last mentioned member in coplanar relationship and a pair ofrelatively wide, parallel disposed flanges coupled to said lastmentioned member with their respective longest axes substantiallyparallel to the longitudinal axis of said last mentioned member and withtheir respective second longest axes substantially perpendicular to theplane of said last mentioned reeds, said parallel disposed flanges beingcoupled to said last mentioned member to radiate therefrom free ofcontact with other structure, said parallel disposed flanges beingsituated adjacent the mounted ends of said last mentioned reeds toextend along a substantial portion of the length of said last mentionedmember, said pair of flanges providing mechanical reaction to thevibration of said last mentioned reeds; mechanically isolating couplingmeans mounting the relatively high note end of said bass register reedbar assembly and the relatively low note end of said treble registerreed bar assembly to said framework; and means rigidly coupling therelatively low note end of said bass register reed bar assembly and therelatively high note end of said treble register reed bar assembly tosaid framework.

14. In an electronic musical instrument, the combina tion according toclaim l2 wherein said reed bar assemblies have closely similar numbersof reeds mounted thereon.

References @itesl by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 375,833 1/88Plant et al. 84-403 903,968 11/08 Gilmore 84-408 1,008,161 11/11 Knabe84-188 1,364,541 1/21 Brandcs 84-195 2,492,919 12/49 Hings 84404 X2,532,070 11/50 Moore et al 84-188 2,538,801 1/51 Schneider 84-195 X2,561,883 7/51 Pegrum 84-189 2,826,109 3/58 Miessner .a 84-360 2,850,9339/58 Andersen 84-404 2,974,555 3/61 Andersen 84-351 X FOREIGN PATENTS10,504 5/96 Great Britain.

LEYLAND M. MARTIN, Primary Examiner.

LEO SMILOVV, Examiner.

1. A SUPPORT STRUCTURE FOR VIBRATILE REEDS COMPRSING: A BAR HAVING APLURALITY OF REED-MOUNTING FORMATIONS SPACED ALONG THE LENGTH THEREOFAND DISPOSED TO SITUATE SAID REEDS IN COPLANAR RELATIONSHIP; AND ARELATIVELY WIDE FLANGE COUPLED TO SAID BAR WITH ITS LONGEST AXISSUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL TO THE LONGITUDINAL AXIS OF SAID BAR AND WITH ITSSECOND LONGEST AXIS SUBSTANTIALLY PERPENDICULAR TO THE PLANE OF SAIDREEDS, SAID FLANGE BEING COUPLED TO SAID BAR TO RADIATE THEREFROM FREEOF CONTACT WITH OTHER STRUCTURE, SAID FLANGE BEING SITUATED ADJACENTSAID FORMATIONS AND EXTENDING ALONG A SUBSTANTIAL PORTION OF THE LENGTHOF SAID BAR TO PROVIDE A MEMBER FOR MECHANICALLY REACTING TO THEVIBRATIONS OF SAID REEDS.